Brugge Introduction

Brugge is the capital of West Flanders in Belgium and boasts a beautiful historical medieval Old Town, as well as an entire city centre that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’, numerous canals can be found around the city and with them an abundance of bridges, which makes navigating the city on foot or by bicycle simple. It is the location of the 2008 Colin Farrell film, In Bruges, which placed the city further into the spotlight and is famed for its beer, chocolate and lace, made from flax flowers that are common to West Flanders.

Dining in Brugge is a real treat. Whether you’re seeking Michelin star rated restaurants or quirky cafes serving classic French-Belgian cuisine, you’ll find your hunger pangs are soon satisfied. If you fancy some Belgian fries head towards what are known as frietkots, essentially an eatery serving fast food, of which fries with mayonnaise are renowned in Belgium. The Chocolate Line is one of the city’s most frequented cocoa boutiques that can be found along Simon Stevinplein 19 and where you can sample all sorts of flavours and observe the creativity that goes on in the workshop.

Why not head to a brewery to imbibe in a beer or few? De Halve Maan is a family run establishment located in the heart of the historical town that now brews just one type of beer, Brugse Zot, which nowadays is the only beer brewed in the centre of the city. Take a tour, taste the product and learn about the process in creating such a beverage. There is also a museum and a restaurant.

If you feel like doing a bit of shopping while in the city, there are a few thoroughfares that are major retail areas, such as Langestraat, Steenstraat and Zuidzandstraat. Along these streets you’ll find plenty of well known high street type brands, as well as various unique boutiques and of course cafes to refuel in.

With its many medieval architectural structures, a myriad of museums, thriving theatre scene, as well as several festivals held across the year, Brugge is a city that begs discovery and will most likely guarantee a return visit.

Brugge Travel Guides

In comparison to other parts of Europe, Belgium has a fairly mild climate, though winters can get painfully chilly, with temperatures nearing the 0oC mark at night. Though many locals boast that Brugge has predominantly good weather, it's essential to pack some warm weather gear to combat the cold, even in the spring and summer months, as nippy winds and cool nights are still frequent features during these periods. Summer days are generally clear and fair, with highs of around 23oC. The most popular months to visit Belgium are between May and September, when the weather is at its finest, but this period is also the peak tourist season, so those with an aversion to crowds might prefer to brave the cooler weather and visit in the spring or autumn months. more...

This amusement park is located just south of central Brugge and features dolphins, sea lions, rides and paddleboats. Admission fees are fairly steep, but children under one metre tall can enter for free. The park can be reached by bus from the train station and the Markt. more...

Cinema Novo: Brugge's annual film fest is held at two separate venues, the Lumiere art house cinema and the Liberty blockbuster cinema. The multicultural event includes premières, short films and full length features from Asia, Africa and Latin America, screened over a 10-day period. more...

This fascinating building was constructed over three centuries and is a good example of composite architecture, with various styles overlaid onto the original 13th century structure. The church features an iconic 122-metre bell tower (Brugge's tallest and Belgium's second-tallest) and is home to some magnificent works of art, most notably Michelangelo's superb 'Madonna and Child', a marble sculpture located in the sacrament chapel of the church's right-hand wing. Additional highlights are the exquisite Gothic and early Renaissance tombstones of Charles the Bold of Burgundy and his daughter Mary of Burgundy, located in the choir section. The interior of the church is closed to the public on Mondays. more...

Brugge's main railway station is located just two kilometres south of downtown, with connections to all major Belgian cities. Trains travelling to Brussels-Central Station take about an hour to make the journey. Trains to the sandy coast take only 15 minutes from Brugge. The walk from Brugge train station to the city centre takes just 10 minutes and the route is also served by a plethora of buses. more...

Belgium's currency, like other EU nations, is the Euro, which is available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. Try to avoid carrying 500 Euro notes as change for such a large sum is often difficult to find; ask for smaller denominations when you exchange your cash. more...